Flooded Cars

Just because a used car looks good, be careful what you buy. Thousands of cars that were flooded by hurricane Katrina are making their way onto used car lots. Don't be fooled into buying one. Despite the insurance industries efforts to keep Katrina destroyed vehicles off the salvage market, officials say now is that time that these cars may show up in your home town. Bought cheap as salvage by dishonest dealers, cleaned up and turned around with their flood damage history illegally hidden from consumers. Ron Kennedy of the National Insurance Crime Bureau says these cars can be cleaned up and sold to an unknowing consumer by dishonest dealers trying to make a killing. The National Insurance Crime Bureau is offering a free search of a cars vehicle identification number so that you can learn if the car was involved in a claim caused by last years hurricane. Jeanne Salvatore of the Insurance Information Institute says flood damage is covered by auto insurance, unfortunately there's going to be a lot of flood damaged cars finding their way onto used car lots around the country, and you do not want to buy a flooded car. To avoid buying a flooded car, check the car for mildew, sand, and water marks. Look for rust on screws and check the seats and door panels for fading.

For more information about insurance, go to the I.I.I. Web site at http://www.iii.org

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• used
• cars
• floods
• automobile
• insurance
• salvage

[koteya]

i want to buy one

[yarman26]

i bought a 06 tsx that was flood damaged. I knew what I was getting into and made sure that all major components were working. I bought the car with 2k miles on it and now have 80k+ and never have had a problem. Maybe I got lucky, but I think it's a great value for anyone who actually does their homework. A lot of people are scarred to buy them especially because all they hear is negative info. Trust me it's not that bad. Never had any mechanical or electrical issue.

[MIKON8ERISBACK]

One of the first things they'll do is replace the stereo system.

[Jaguar40]

Is not VIN Number lady, is VIN or Vehicle Identification Number

[HarvestmanMan]

I dont understand how the looters haven't ripped the wheels and other components off these cars yet.

[B789c]

buy the flooded car and sell it for parts.

[irolliamvolvo]

I'll take one for $500 if it conks out oh well.

[steve9509]

sad thing is, i see alot of cars that would be no more then a year old..that freestar..300c. it sucks.

[carndrifter]

was only a wee puddle